Sarah E. Brook, whose work WISHFUL: how (where) do I see illuminates Poly hallways, has now completed the second part of her artist residency by overseeing the installation of her wood and lucite sculpture, WORTHY: how (who) do I stand as part of the landscape near the 9/11 Memorial Garden.

Laura Coppola ’95, P’29, ’35, the Charles, ’52 and Valerie Diker Chair of Visual Arts, announced to the community, “After numerous hurdles, we are excited to share that Sarah’s long-planned sculpture WORTHY: how (who) do I stand is being installed on the hill above the playground. Please take a walk and consider Sarah’s insights, which were impacted by the conversations she had with students and faculty during her residency two years ago.”

“WORTHY: how (who) do I stand draws from the architecture of the Verrazzano Bridge and the Poly Prep Tower, both visible from the chosen hillside,” Brook said. “The question posed by this piece relates to the way we claim space, the way we can challenge ourselves to think about the position and stature and structure of where we stand and who we stand with. What are the particular angles that bring the light to life?”

“I want my work to make you think about how you see,” Brook explained. “There is the literal experience of sight, the taking in of shape and color and light and orienting yourself to that sensory context. Then there are the other aspects of seeing, of vision: Who am I in the world? What do I care about, what do I dream of? What are my responsibilities? What is difficult for me to see? How we choose to see and the way we take in the world around us makes us each who we are. These works ask you to pause, to notice how you see, to take in the impact of your particular vision.”

Brook’s sculpture measures 116” x 15” x 96″. “I hope that members of our community will get to experience art in a more engaging way,” said Coppola, “and think about how art can interact with its natural environment. What I love most about Sarah’s work is how it frames the Tower and plays off of the architecture of the bridge, and how there’s this luminescence on the tubular parts of the sculpture that changes depending on the light and the time of day you’re out there looking at it. This is a work of art, like the colored windows around the Quad, that literally frames the way we see space.”

Coppola offered “special thanks” to Head of Arts Michael Robinson; Director of Arts Outreach Robert Aberlin ’62, P’00, ’03; Head of Campus Operations Matt Stelluto; Chief Financial Officer Lynda Casarella; Assistant Head of School, Academics Michal Hershkovitz P’16, ’18; and Head of School Audrius Barzdukas P’20 “for their invaluable support and collaboration” on the project.